Derby day, be it in Glasgow, Buenos Aires, Tehran, Rome or Rio de Janeiro, fosters a communal competitive spirit melding social strata, religion, politics and creed, all in the name of the global game.
Celtic-Rangers, River Plate-Boca Juniors, Pirouzi-Esteghlal, Lazio-Roma and Flamengo-Fluminense are match-ups that transcend the sport – such fixtures mean more than just a simple game of football to fans of these clubs, for they represent opportunities to right the wrongs of yore and heal or reopen old wounds.
For 90 minutes these cities literally come to a standstill as age-old rivals battle it out for the honour and pride depicted on the badge that adorn their chests.
When the organisers of the respective domestic championships announce the fixtures for a new season, the first date fans mark in their diaries is that of the local derby, a much-anticipated affair for all major footballing cities.
For the players and the management the three points at stake, though important, are not at the top of the agenda as derby day approaches. What matters most is outdoing the opposition to secure bragging rights until the next meeting.
Italy's economic, fashion and cultural epicentre, Milano, is currently in the heat of such an atmosphere as the city gears up for yet another tie featuring the rossoneri and the nerazzurri.
AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko has also scored five goals so far this season.On Sunday evening, this Milanese duo will line-up to face each other in an electrifying atmosphere, a mixture of vibrant colours and, most of all, a deafening noise that builds into a roar every few minutes, especially when the names of the players of the designated home team AC Milan and Internazionale share the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza blare out from the stadium speakers.
My FAvourite stadium in the whole - the place to be
Milan are the home side this weekend and their "ultras" will be taking up their usual position in the Curva Sud directly behind the goal to the right hand side of the VIP Stand, waving flags and banners while Curva Nord will be awash with blue and black, the colours of Internazionale.
This derby is similar to a family feud, a simmering argument, laden with jibes but almost never coming to blows, not akin to an all-out war like certain other derbies. This is due to the fact that the history of both clubs is closely intertwined.
Internazionale, the younger of the two, was formed in 1908 by a breakaway faction of AC Milan, which was then known as Milan Cricket and Football Club, founded by English expatriate Alfred Edwards in 1899.
Defending Serie A champions Milan have been in the ascendancy in these derby matches over the past few seasons as Internazionale have been forced to endure a succession of defeats.
Three years ago the rossoneri were in majestic form, humiliating their city rivals by six unanswered goals and in one of the greatest ever come-backs in derby history, Milan who were two goals down at the break conjured up a stirring fight-back to clinch victory by three goals to two, with Dutchman Clarence Seedorf unleashing a spectacular strike from 25 metres into the top corner of Francesco Toldo's net, a goal worthy to seal an unlikely revival.
Currently in second place in the standings, Milan are three points behind leaders Juventus, while their neighbours are in sixth position A win for Internazionale would put them level with the rossoneri, a result that would suit Roberto Mancini's side just fine.
Inter Milan's Christian Vieri is a top goal scorer - when he is in form.Milan lost their unbeaten record to surprise package Messina last month while the nerazzurri are one of three yet-to-be-vanquished sides in Serie A, alongside Juventus and Chievo.
Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of the diavoli rossi or red devils as AC Milan is known in Italy, is a veteran of numerous Milan derbies as captain of the all-conquering AC Milan side of the late-eighties and early-nineties.
He will be keen to maintain his immaculate managerial record against the city's other half, whilst keeping abreast of league leaders, Juventus in the race for the scudetto.
Ancelotti's counterpart Mancini is also keen for his side to continue their recent run of form, as after a sputtering start, Internazionale have finally hit their groove and last weekend's 3-1 win at the Friuli Stadium over Udinese inched them higher up the standings.
Both sides have in their ranks two fearsome attackers in Andriy Shevchenko and Adriano, with five goals apiece from just six matches, and Sunday's clash will certainly not end in a scoreless draw, if either of them puts away the chances that fall at their feet.
The Milan derby is one of the highlights of this or any Italian season as it gives us an opportunity to bear witness to one of the most passionate rivalries in club football history.
FORZA MILAN
aJLa
I'm no angel.. and i manage to remain alive in my own quirky way
